Global Scans · Economy · Weekly Summary

DRIVER: The global economy still faces serious headwinds and political uncertainty potentially balanced by the enormous promise of technological advancements in many fields. Read on to get a solid handle on the opportunities and risks you and your organization may likely face and set your sails accordingly.

• [New] Economic Impact: McKinsey & Company estimates that generative AI could generate $60 to $110 billion in value annually for the pharmaceutical industry, while overall development costs are being reduced by up to 70% through better compound selection and virtual screening capabilities. Sully.Ai
• [New] Full adoption of AI could increase labour productivity across the entire US economy by a total of 15%. ST
• [New] Tesla plans to launch a robotaxi service across multiple U.S. cities by 2025, leveraging its Model Y vehicles initially and eventually deploying the Cybercab, a radical new concept without traditional driving controls, slated for production in 2026. OpenTools
• [New] India aims to build a $40 billion space economy by 2040, up from approximately $8 billion in 2023. Scribd
• [New] Abu Dhabi's economy will grow by 4.2% in 2025, accelerating further to 5.8% in 2026. GCC BUSINESS WATCH
• [New] Dubai, the UAE's commercial and tourism powerhouse, is expected to witness economic growth of 3.3% in 2025, with a slight increase to 3.5% in 2026. GCC BUSINESS WATCH
• [New] Often referred to as one of the new Asian tigers, Bangladesh shows significant economic potential. The Asian Age
• [New] Japan's economy recorded 1.0% growth in the first quarter this year and is expected to grow by 2.5% in FY2013. Bruegel | The Brussels-based economic think tank
• [New] While eurozone rates are now on hold, and UK rates may take some time to fall given sticky inflation, there is scope for the US to see further cuts over the remainder of the year and into 2026. UK - EN - Intermediary
• [New] China, the world's second-largest economy, is projected to reach $20.7 trillion in GDP by 2026 - approximately 35% smaller than the U.S. economy. CEOWORLD Magazine
• [New] The IMF estimates U.S. GDP at $31.8 trillion in 2026 - roughly equivalent to the combined economies of China, Germany, and India. CEOWORLD Magazine
• [New] China's Influence: China is seeking to overtake Taiwan in Semiconductor production in 2025, with the potential to create disruptions in global supply lines. RileySENTINEL
• [New] The largest US bank by total assets will soon allow trading and wealth-management clients to use crypto ETFs as loan collateral, beginning with BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust. Crypto Briefing
• [New] With Asean's digital economy expected to double to USD 2 trillion by 2030, we have agreed to fast-track the Asean Digital Economic Framework Agreement by 2026. The Star
• [New] Beyond logistics and economics, Glencore Polymet elevates environmental stewardship, community engagement, and global industry standards - values that will define the next era of mineral extraction. Farmonaut
• [New] Japan aims to reach a defence spending goal of 2% of gross domestic product in the current fiscal year through March, ahead of the original target of fiscal 2027. CNBC
• [New] By capitalizing on data, technologies, and community stewardship, their 2026 operations illustrate a transformative shift - where environmental best practices and socially responsible initiatives support economic opportunities without compromising the integrity of precious ecosystems. Farmonaut
• [New] Airbus, EasyJet, and Lufthansa are driving a surge in A320neo production, as CFM International works to meet the target of 75 aircraft per month by 2027. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The Russian Central Bank assessed that current inflationary pressures will temporarily increase in late 2025 and early 2026 due to a number of external economic factors, in line with ISW's ongoing assessments. Critical Threats
• [New] AI's overall contribution to the global economy will hit $15.7 trillion by 2030, significantly boosting GDP and productivity. FinancialContent
• [New] AI is projected to add $13 trillion to the global economy by 2030, increasing global GDP by approximately 1.2% annually. FinancialContent
• [New] High-tech levels: AI, Green Energy, Healthcare, Fintech and E-commerce will grow explosively in the following decades, developing jobs and investments and redefining the world economy. Global Radiance Review

Last updated: 28 October 2025